weddingaway

A) Four places that I go to over and over: Work, Home, Walmart, Grocery Store Four people who e-mail me (regularly): Shannon, Elizabeth, Corey, Joe C)Four of my favorite places to eat: Chang Thai, Milner's, Ryan's, 6th and Vine D) Four places I would rather be right now: Jamaica, Mall, Philadelphia, Asheville E) Four people I think will respond: Anyone who is bored, too! F) Four TV shows I watch: Top Chef, The Office, Big Love, Entourage G) List something life has taught you through the years! Learning how to say, "No" is better for everyone especially yourself!

Chocolate = Workout (ugh!)

Sandra Bullock - Speed

So I have a tough situation. My mother married her now husband 10 years ago. We have never gotten along bc I always speak my mind and he has done many wrong things without apologizing that I have called him on. Even though the rest of my family agrees with me, I am the only one that actually speaks up about it. A few months ago, they broke up and my mother (who is an alcoholic) confessed that whenever she is in recovery (off and on for years) he will buy alcoholic drinks for her and talk her into drinking them by saying things like, "Just take a sip" or "Come on! Give it a try". She refuses at first, but usually ends up giving in eventually. She is a grown-up and her decisions are her own responsibility but anyone familiar with alcoholism knows that alcoholics can never have just one sip, or just one drink...that is what their struggle is all about! Of course, they are now getting back together. I am already taking a huge chance in inviting my alcoholic mother to an all-inclusive resort where the employees are more than happy to make a cocktail for you. I really wouldn't want him at my wedding anyway, but now it seems like it is just setting up a messy situation for my wedding day when my mother gets super drunk and he disappears (which he always does when she gets drunk) so I would probably have to handle her. Not anything close to my ideal wedding day! Am I right to not invite him? Should I just not invite either of them? I would love for my mother to be there, but I can't handle "the worst that could happen" side of things. Please let me know what you think or if anyone has a similar situation.

I work at a restaurant that has a decent bar scene on the weekends so we have bands and dancing and we card at the front door. A couple of years ago, I am managing on a Friday or Saturday night, and the band is going strong, people are dancing, and things are busy. I get called to the front door. The Door Guy (who checks everyone's ids) won't let several girls in because they are under age but they want to try to come in anyway. I tell them they can't, but they beg me and one of them says that she is supposed to get married at my restaurant on the back patio. I know nothing of this, and ask her to explain. It turns out that her and the groom just decided to show up and thought that they could get married randomly on the property. The groom was already inside (because he was over 21) and comes outside to meet the girls. He is at least 45 or 50, and she is younger than 21 because we can't let her inside! The best part is that they end up getting married out front on the sidewalk by the ugly gas and water pipes. And they are married by the drummer, whose band is playing in my restaurant, while on his 15 minute break?! Word of Advice: If you want to get married somewhere, you might want to call to ask if its ok, and to make sure that you can actually step foot onto the property. Just a couple hours of planning might have done them some good.

General Manager of an independent restaurant

1. How old are you? 28 2. At what age did you/will you get married? 29 3. Do you have children? No, thank you. 4. Did you think you would marry the person you are with now? I knew that we would be very special, but I didn't want to marry anyone ever at that time. 5. Were you ever engaged or married to someone other than the person you are with now? No 6. Do you want a garden wedding, beach wedding, or the traditional church wedding? Gazebo, on beach 7. Where did you/will you get married? Hopefully, Iberostar, Montego Bay, Jamaica 8. First dance - classic waltz, slow and sexy, or fast and spicy? Slow and Sexy - it's easier for him 9. How many guests did you/will you have? 22-25 10. Do you want/did you have an extravagant wedding or a simple wedding? Simple...the best wedding gift ever! 11. Vows - traditional or something you make up on your own? You must make up your own. You have to put part of yourself into this. 12. How many layers of cake did you/will you have? 2 13. Is/was your wedding/reception at a hotel? On the resort's property 14. When did you/will you get married - sunrise, mid-day, sunset? Mid-day, so we have picture time before sunset 15. Did you/will you have your reception outdoors or indoors? Wherever we can all get together! 16. Plan every detail down to the napkins or let someone else decide? I am trying to plan as little as possible 17. How did/will the bride enter? From a pathway that curves away from the ceremony 18. Song to walk down the aisle to: Just the waves crashing 19. Song to make your exit: Hopefully, everyone clapping 20. Will you/did you have a solemn ceremony or a light one? light and happy, please 21. At what age did you think you would get married? I never thought that I would get married, just have a long term boyfriend 22. Who to invite - practically everyone or a select few? Select few...best way to keep the less than welcome out 23. Wedding menu - fine dining or simply delicious? Simple and Delicious 24. Champagne or red wine? Rum Punch and Bob Marley shots 25. Honeymoon right after the wedding, awhile after the wedding, or no honeymoon? Right after so I can recover from family and wedding-stress 26. Was your/will your honeymoon be at a place special to you both or somewhere brand new to you both? Our favorite resort that is a little pricey and quiet 27. Who will pay for the bills? Us, with guests paying their way 28. Living together: Not before marriage or absolutely before marriage? Absolutely before...that is the true test of a relationship 29. Anything else about marriage you'd like to say? I look forward to it being just the 2 of us from now on.

The paying for family and friends thing is definitely a great idea. What's funny is that we were already planning to pay for several friends and family who we thought couldn't afford it. Turns out, most of them can afford it anyway. So now we are looking into paying for everyone's (roundtrip) airport transportation back at home. I think it is a nice touch.

I had never expected a ring. We had talked about marriage/wedding for months and he always said that I would have to propose to him bc I was so anxious about the big commitment. We started looking at resorts and talking to TAs. Then he proposed on Thanksgiving Day. He said that I deserved a ring, anyway! SO amazing.

Zoeey Deschanel - Almost Famous

Ok, I want to play! 1. My FI and I both don't want kids so we have our faux-evil plan to be super nice and nurturing to our nieces and nephews so (out of guilt) they will take care of us when we are old (even though we would love them anyway) 2. I am obsessed with cell phone games (right now, it's Angry Birds on Android) and usually play them a dozen times throughout the day, even at work. 3. I have worked at the same restaurant for over 5 1/2 years, and worked my way up from server to bartender to shift manager to General Manager which I have been doing for over 2 years with no college degree. 4. When me and my FI first met, he had a girlfriend! He showed up at my work the day after he broke up with her. 5. I wish I talked to/visited my family more often (out of state)...I hate thinking that I have nieces and nephews who will barely know me.

These are some great stories. I don't think I can top anyone's but I'd love to vent anyway. Just 2 weeks before this past Christmas, the owner (of the place I manage) and I got in a huge argument (1st time ever) which I have still been thinking about quitting over. SO for Christmas, she gets me 2 pictures that are replicas of pictures hanging at work?! Really! Does anyone want to bring home decor to replicate your work? I can't wait to find someone else to pass this "treasure" onto.

Thanks so much for all of the great ideas! Its hard because you want to remember them, but I also don't want to cause my husband-to-be any tears on the big day. I like the idea of the table with a candle and a picture, and maybe saving him a seat, too. Thanks again. It has been extremely helpful! Best wishes to everyone else on their big day!

These invites are incredible. I really love the stamps, too. I want to try to replicate that for our invites. Hopefully, all of this creativity can get to me through osmosis or something

Those invitations are so beautiful. I love the idea of adding fragrance to the cork, too. Did you know that smell more easily recalls memories than any of the other senses? I was so certain that I was going to do boarding pass invites but now I am rethinking everything. Great Job! I am sure all of your guests just adored these. I love how whimsical and playful they are!

That absolutely looks professionally done. Those envelopes are the best that I have ever seen! I also want to do the fan/program thing. It seems like such a good idea for a tropical setting, and it is useful for the entire stay. And I am all about practicality. I would also love to see templates if at all possible. Thanks for sharing! You are giving me great inspiration.

Wow! All of you ladies are so creative. This will be great to send out with the welcome booklet which will help get everyone excited a few weeks from the big day. Thanks so much. I am definitely going to "borrow" this idea.

This is awesome! I am totally going to try to do something like this. Most of our guests have never been out of the country so this would be very comforting to them. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks so much. I am just starting to figure out what to DIY. This will help quell my anxiety.

This is taken from the mineral pool/gym area. On the other side of the gazebo is the main beach which is in sort of a cove-type area. This is the walkway from the mineral pool to the gazebo. The gazebo is actually the burst of light between the trees on the right side. This is the path just in front of the gazebo. Notice how narrow the path is! I doubt that 2 people (audience) could stand side-by-side and still have a walkway for the bridal party to pass. Something to keep in mind for anyone with a larger size wedding party. Also, this is where they do the private dinners that cost extra. It is just a single table, you and the view. Never tried it but it looks tempting.

We traveled to CSS last year, and fell in love with it! Actually, my avatar is of their gazebo! Just so you know, the setting for the gazebo is beautiful, but very narrow which limits your guests' view of the ceremony. The beach setting is really pretty, too. I have more pics if you are interested.

I am getting overwhelmed trying to choose a TA. We haven't decided on a specific resort although we know we want either Negril or Montego Bay and we have a list of must haves for the resort (kid-friendly, max price, etc) The problem is that I have contacted several agents and they all seem to push toward their own preferred hotel brand (because they get an extra better commission, I'm sure) but none of them are really taking our preferences into account. I really don't mind someone making a little extra money b/c we chose a brand that they have a special relationship with as long as it meets our needs. Also, they all want me to sign papers upfront without ever giving me a real idea of what they can do for me (as far as pricing, etc.) How did you guys choose your TA? How did you handle it if they pushed you toward something that you didn't want? Did you sign papers before actually seeing any of the results of their work? BTW: We are having over 25 people that are flying from different parts of the US, so I already KNOW that I want a TA to handle that stuff.

Yeah, I have so much on my plate between work and family stuff. It is hard for me to find the time to post. I would definitely be able to post more often if there was an android app available. That's how I stay productive while waiting in lines at the store! BTW: If anyone knows of an android app that is helpful for forum posting, please let me know!

Hey, everyone! I don't mean to bum anyone out, but I was hoping for some ideas/suggestions. Here is the situation: A couple of years ago, my fiance's very best, lifelong friend died in a car crash. He definitely would have been best man. We were all close (we were even roommates for 6 months) and I know that he will be in both of our thoughts on the big day. Here's my question: What's a nice way to honor/incorporate him in the ceremony without bringing down the mood too much? I have never seen this done so I have no examples to follow. Thanks, in advance!

That's what is great about destination weddings! They are already inherently non-traditional so you can do whatever works best for you. I think that at least half of the brides are planning to walk down the aisle by themselves. Or you could try something different, like the bride and the groom walk down together? Or the bridesmaids and maid of honor walk down with you?